Universal adjustable ear tip
AssigneePiearcings, LLC
InventorsBarrett Prelogar, Patsy Nigh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An audio device for insertion into an ear canal of a user that includes an adjustable ear tip. The ear tip is formed by a sleeve disposed on a body of the audio device with a first end of the sleeve coupled to an output end of the body. In a retracted state, the sleeve lies alongside an exterior surface of the body. Movement of the second end relative to the body moves the second end axially along the body and flexes the sleeve radially outward away from the body. An extent of movement of the second end is selectable to provide a radial dimension of the sleeve and thus the ear tip that provides a suitable fit of the audio device with a user's ear canal.
Claims17
An audio device with an adjustable ear tip, the audio device comprising:
- a body with an output end through which an audible output produced by the audio device is directed;
- an ear tip formed by a sleeve that at least partially overlies an exterior surface of the body, the sleeve having a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end being retained against axial movement relative to the body, the trailing end being movable axially toward the leading end, movement of the trailing end toward the leading end expanding at least a portion of the sleeve radially outward from the body;
- a track extending axially along the body;
- and
- a track-engagement feature disposed between the sleeve and the body and following the track as the track-engagement feature is moved along the body, wherein the track-engagement feature follows the track to move the trailing end of the sleeve toward the leading end when the trailing end is moved relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.
A method for adjusting a fit between an audio device and an ear canal, the method comprising:
- providing an audio device having a body and a sleeve, the body having an output end through which an audio output produced by the audio device is directed, the sleeve having a leading end, a trailing end opposite the leading end, and a hollow interior form into which at least a portion of the body is disposed, the leading end of the sleeve being retained against axial movement relative to the body, wherein an exterior surface of the body is frictionally engaged to retain the trailing end at a second axial position;
- moving the trailing end axially toward the leading end from a first axial position to the second axial position, the moving flexing at least a portion of the sleeve radially outward from the body to provide an ear tip with a first radial dimension;
- and retaining the trailing end at the second axial position.
An audio device with an adjustable ear tip, the audio device comprising:
- a body having an at least partially cylindrical form with an output end through which an audible output produced by the audio device is directed;
- a sleeve that at least partially overlies an exterior surface of the body, the sleeve having a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end being retained against axial movement relative to the body, the trailing end being movable axially toward the leading end, movement of the trailing end toward the leading end expanding at least a portion of the sleeve radially outward from the body to provide an ear tip with a first radial dimension, the trailing end of the sleeve being selectively retained against axial movement relative to the body by a frictional engagement with the exterior surface of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.